Throughout this period of development for me there was one idea that came up from time to time regarding complexity and composition that I never seemed to adequately grasp: “resting places“. These visual “places” or “spaces” were often defined as regions of a pictorial composition where a fatigued eye can find respite from the demands… Continue reading
Let’s consider luminance (A stimulus that most representational artists would record with value.) “Luminance is an objective measurement of the overall intensity of a stimulus expressed in candelas/m2 (photometers used for this purpose measure radiant energy with a filter that mimics the sensitivity of the average human observer, thus specifically measuring light). The resulting sensations… Continue reading
Let’s look at one problem that seems to arise quite often regarding basic form study and perception: The cylinder is one of the most basic geometric solids that is often systematically studied in drawing or painting programs. The cylinder is a bit challenging for the uninitiated draftsman as both the shape and form appear to… Continue reading
1. Choose the tools that will deliver your desired finish. The majority of our charcoal drawings are done with compressed charcoal and white chalk (General’s Charcoal Pencils and General’s Charcoal White Pencil) on Canson Mi-Tiente’s Sky Blue paper. The compressed charcoal can produce rich, deep darks as the chalk allows for the addition of… Continue reading
1. Wood Wood can be conveyed through a wide variety of visual clues. Specific grains and knots top off an array of features that communicate a wooden surface to a viewer. Here we chose the subject of a child’s wood block to illustrate this: We begin each drawing with a simple charcoal outline (A). Next,… Continue reading
MIND BLOWN. I have recently learned of an exhibit being put together to feature many of the works from the Star Wars Visions project in Japan later this year. While being able to participate in this project was just incredible I have not thought about it in some time or looked into how the works… Continue reading
Give your work the illusion of spatial depth with five simple effects of perspective. Used together, linear and atmospheric perspective can create the illusion of space and dimension in your art, whether a vast landscape or an intimate still life. Here are five effects used in rendering perspective, which you easily can incorporate into your… Continue reading
4 Great Tips for a Successful Approach to Surface Details A confident and successful approach to detail begins with an ability to simplify at the onset of a drawing or painting endeavor. Uncertainty about details or surface characteristics can easily lead to works that appear unresolved or unfinished. With only a few key steps, you… Continue reading
I have always found far greater success in capturing faithful representations of nature by utilizing methods that echo the manner in which nature communicates the objects visually. One of the ways I often do this is by lessening the emphasis on delineated representations early in my process. This is not to say that I do… Continue reading
Defining an Expert Let’s look at how the terms are defined: An expert can be defined simply as a person who has a comprehensive knowledge of, or skill in, a particular area. However looking to the etymology of the word we find an emphasis on ‘experience’: Late 14c., “having had experience; skillful,” from Old French… Continue reading